I pulled up to the Sanders' house about noon the next day. Val knew I was coming over and she was on the porch now bouncing up and down.
"Brooke!" she yelled from the porch.
I laughed and ran up to her and she gave me a huge hug. "Hey, Val."
"God I've missed you girl. Come inside."
I followed her inside and looked around the huge house. I don't think I'll ever get used to the big houses the guys have.
I saw pictures of Val and Matt, pictures of the band at a younger age, one of them after a show, a picture of the whole wedding party. I saw my favorite picture on the mantel. It was one of me, Matt, Brian and Jimmy at about age thirteen. All three of them were holding me up and we were all smiling like lunatics. I smiled at it. I had the exact picture on my nightstand. I think both Brian and Jimmy had a copy too.
I sat on the couch and a big blonde puffball came hurtling towards me. I laughed as the dog licked and nuzzled me. "Hey Bella," I said as I hugged her neck.
"Want a beer, Brooke?" Val asked.
"Yeah that sounds awesome. Thanks."
Val came back in the living room with two beers and handed one to me. She sat down in the armchair across from the couch. "So, college girl, what're you gonna do now?"
I took a drink from my beer and relaxed on the huge couch. I had been so long since I had been her, but everything felt so familiar.
"I have an interview tomorrow at the elementary that the guys and I went to," I said.
She nodded. "That's right. You wanted to be a teacher."
"Yeah. I'm starting out with elementary. I'm going to eventually work my way up. I majored in history so maybe one day I'll teach history." I shrugged, "Baby steps."
Val leaned forward and put her elbows on her knees. "Very good. I'm proud of you, B. We all are. And the guys miss you so much. Not a day goes by that we don't hear a couple of crazy stories about Brooke and her boys."
I laughed. There sure were a lot of crazy times with those guys. I had never really gotten along with anybody of the same sex (except Val). But with those five, they were all I needed. I had tried dating few times, but they would almost always scare my boyfriends away. Especially Jimmy. They were always really protective of me. Not that I need protecting, but it's sweet.
"I miss them too," I said sipping more of the beer.
"We may have a party in your honor," she said. "Whatchya think?"
"You were gonna have a party anyway so...why not?" I smiled.
She jumped up and threw our empty bottles away and went to replace them with two new ones, talking happily to herself.
A few hours later I decided to go ahead and get home. I had to feed Titan, eat, and get ready for tomorrow. It was a huge day for me. My first serious job.
After I had my delicious dinner of a peanut butter banana sandwich and cheetos, I laid down in my bed and pulled my dark purple comforter around me.
"Home is where your bed is," I said to myself as I drifted off to sleep.
The next day I woke up at 8 a.m. and got ready for my interview. I was super nervous but I had to dress to impress. So instead of my usual rocker tees and basketball shorts, I decided to go with a more professional look. I put on a pair of dark blue jeans that fit me very well, a purple tank top and over that was a dark denim jacket. I put my tallest boots on, pulled my red hair into a bun and moved to examine myself in the full body lenght mirror in my bedroom.
Ok, so I've never been too obsessed with my looks, but I have to admit that I looked pretty hot. Like sexy teacher hot. Oh the guys would have a kick out of this if they could see me now.
Thirty minutes later I was sitting in the front office of the same school where I had met Jimmy, Matt, and Brian. So many memories were here.
I still remember the first day of Kindergarten when I met Jimmy:
"Mommy" I had cried. "I don't wanna go! I wanna stay with you!"
My mother had knelt down and smoothed down my frizzy hair. "Baby, you will be fine. I will see you after school ok? Its just like when you go to daycare."
She kissed my forehead. "Now go ahead in Brooke. I love you."
I walked into the classroom hugging my teddy bear against my chest. I stood in the corner watching the other kids play.
I was too scared. I wanted my mommy.
That was when a little boy came up to me and smiled. "What you doing over here? Wanna play?"
I shook my head and tried to hide my face.
Then he hugged me. "Its ok," he said. "My name is Jimmy. Wanna be my friend?"
I looked at him. Finally I nodded. "My name is Bwooke."
He grabbed my hand, pulled me to the center of the room, and handed me a Barbie. "Here, Bwooke. Girl play with these."
"No," I said reaching down for the little toy car at his feet. "I play with cars."
After that, we never left each other's sides.
"Brooke Claster? Principal Walker will see you now."
I nodded and headed to the Principal's office. I couldn't tell you how many times I had been sent to this very office.
Principal Walker sat behind his desk and motioned for me to sit down across from him. All I have to say about the man is that he looked like a fat Chuck Norris. I had to bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing.
"So," he said, "Mrs. Claster. You want to be a teacher here?"
"It's Miss, and yes sir. I wen to this exact school and I always wanted to be a teacher."
He looked me up and down with a hungry look in his eyes. I tried to cover myself with my arms but it wasn't working very well. Maybe I had dressed a little too nice.
"Ok, Miss Claster," he said putting emphasis on the "Miss". "It says here that you majored in history? Top of your class. So why not teach a higher level? Why Kindergarten?"
I sighed inwardly. "I want to learn how to deal with chilldren first and then work my way up. Besides, Kindergarten is when my life really started."
Principal Walker looked at me strange but he just shrugged. "Well then. Lucky for you we have a position for kindergarten teacher opening up for a temporary period of time. One of the teachers, Mrs. Gandsty, is leaving next week for maternity leave. For the week that she is here you will assist her and get to know the children and the curriculum. After that, you will be her substitute for six weeks and when that time is over we will see what to do with you. Please come in Monday at 8 a.m. and I will show you around."
We both stood and he shook my hand. "Welcome to the team, Brooke."
I didn't like the way he said my name but I smiled anyway. "Thank you Principal Walker. I will see you Monday."
When I got home, I was suprised to see two unfamiliar cars in my driveway. I walked up to the door but it swung open on its own.
Behind the door was the one face I had missed the most.
"JIMMY!!"